Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-04
CEREALS AND PLANTS.
THEIR DISTRIBUTION FROM THE
STATES EXPERIMENT STATION.
Resistant Wheats-Textile and For
age Plants of Several Varieties
Shrubs, Trees, Etc.

4 nave IGtdiliSu Ill iIt llSlS SDinC SlON LIE
which have done we'll on the University
Experimental Grounds, and have been
given good reports by those 10 whom we
have sent them for trial, in order that the
experiments might be still more widely ex
| tended to secure wider knowledge OF the
adaptation of the plants TO California condi
tons. A number of new growths are Of
fered this year which have set up claim tC
value in this State. AS has been described
in previous bulletins, this distribution i:
made for the purpose of ascertaining the
adaptation and practical value of the sew
eral kinds, in the different climates anC
soils of the State; and persons receiving
them are requested to report results
whether success or failure, and if the latter
from what apparent causes.
Terms.-As there is no appropriation
available to meet the expenses of packing
and postage, applicants are requested tt
send the amounts specified in connection
with each description below. Ii they de
sire seeds sent by express, applicants neeC
not send the amounts specified for postage
but all orders for seeds by express must bt
accompanied by a remittance of 10 cents tC
pay for packing. Applications may bt
made for one or more kinds of seeds. In
case any kind of seed becomes exhausted
the money sent will be returned unless
second choice is mentioned by the sender
Plants will be forwarded by express
| unless specially otherwise reouested), il
lots consisting of the number hereinafter
mentioned for each kind, en- remittance o.
% cents for each lot of plants and 10 cents
additional for each additional lot, to pay
/ e a4a 81
| payable at the Berkeley Postoffice, are re.
quested to be sent in lieu of stamps when.
ever practicable. Any surplus left after
! filling orders as far as possible will be re-
turned TO the senders, deducting letter
| postage.
wHEATs RESISTING THE HEssIAN FLY.
The distribution of cereals this year is
restricted to three varieties OF wheat, which
proved resistant to the attack of the Hes
sian fly (CecidOmyid deStruct0r) in our ex-
periments during the past season. An out
| line of these experiments was given in
Bulletin No. SIS of the University Expert
ment Station, and full report will be
found in the forthcoming report of the
College of Agriculture for 1886 Out of
100 varieties of wheat sown there were but
six in which no trace of the fly was found,
and of these we have sufficient seed of
three varieties for distribution. 1t is de-
sired to send these wheats only TO the To-
calities where the fly is known to exist, be-
cause we want the experience OF expert
mentors in other infested localities to COM
pare with our own observations. The va.
rietes offered are ''Volo, bearded Misso-
yen" and Greek Atlanti." These wheats
have solid stems, the straw being filled with
pIth. They belong to the hard wheat type
Triticatnl dl,7tnl), having long pointed
grains, almost translucent, and horny con-
sistency, owing to their richness in gluten,
though when grown in this State they rap
idly change in this respect and become
starchv These wheats are chiefly grown
in the countries bordering upon the Medi-
terranean and the Black seas. They do
not succeed in the north of Europe, nor are
they of much account even in the middle
of France. They are, however, quite hardy
and productive in California, and with the
change in their character noted above,
promise to be of considerable value. Sam
pies of the grain were submitted to experts
in milling and shipping wheats and pro-
nounced good, merchantable wheat, and
salable in the market at about two and
nehalf cents per GENITAL less than No. l
shipping wheat. As they are naturally of
strong growth and productive, 1t is ex-
DPClGu II1dL IilSV Will Dt NdludDlG
those localities where other varieties are
rendered Improbable because of the Hes
sian fly. Applicants will each be furnished
with one pound of each of the three varie-
ties, or single pound of either variety.
Send twenty cents for each pound ordered,
if to be sent by mail.
TEXTILE PLANTS.
Ramie.-We have grown from imported
seed a stock of plants of BOehmeriG cGRdi-
cans, which is, however, said by experts to
be inferior to the Boehmerid teRdciSSinlG
although the fiber of the candicaas is of
value in making coarseI fabrics. The tests
of this species will probably serve TO deter
mine the conditions favorable or otherwise
for the growth of the other. Most salts
factory results have been reported with
plants sent to growers in the upper San
Joaquin valley, and experience generally
seems to indicate successful growth of the
plant in a great variety of soils and climate
Ten small plants will be sent to each appli-
cant; % cents per lot.
Fiber Flax.-We have gathered good
quantity OF seed of four European varieties
of flax (Linum 1iSitatiSsimunD which are
grown on the continent especially for their
fiber. They grow about three times as tall
as the variety commonly grown in this
olGle lDT lDG SGeu. w lti SOMll III eDTu1TV
in Berkeley, a good growth has always been
attained without irrigation, and fair re-
suits have been secured by sowing as late
as April. The following varieties are offered
in 1-pound sacks 20 cents each if forward
ed by mail: white Flowering," from
France; Royal" from Germany Rus
sian" from Pskoff. and C. Yellow Seeded"
Esparto Grass (Stipd telldcissima) The
grass 50 extensively used in the Mediter-
ranean countries for cordage, baskets, etc.
and lately imported in large quantities as
material for paper-making. 1t grows
naturally on sandy beaches, within reach
of salt water, but will doubtless be found
adapted to many saline and alkaline lands
now unreclaimed or occupied by the COM
mon tule 1t should be thoroughly tested
in sandy coast lands southwark of the bay,
and in South California. Ten plants to
each lot; % cents per lot by express.
New Zealand fax, so useful to gardeners
and vineyardists for the purpose of tying
with the ribbons into which the leaves
readily split, and which are exceedingly
strong, is again offered for distribution
Reports received from the interior OF the
State point strongly to the conclusion that
the plant is unadapted to TIE hot interior
valleys From all coast regions the reports
are good. Although fond of moisture, it
is not marsh plant and will not succeed
in a swamp. Two plants to the lot; %
cents per lot by express.
FORAGE PLANTS.
The forthcoming report of the College of
Agriculture for 1886 will contain a detailed
account of the results attained with a num-
Der of plants sent out for trial to different
parts of the State. The following are Of
tered for further trial:
Schrader's Bronze Grass Bromus Schra-
derii or siniolOides) Valued in Australia as
resisting drought andsin Texas as giving
good feed in winter and early spring. We
have received reports from many IN this
State TO whom we sent the seeds two years
ago, declaring the grass q success. 1t is
among the first grasses to start, grows Wig
orously, and natures an abundance of
heavy seeds almost like oats. Its seed
stems being two or three feet high and
leafy It can be used for either hay or pas
ture. Four-ounce packages by mail &c
each.
Mililla mlatigorunl-A perennial millet
grass, growing about two feet high, with
seed stems two feet higher. It is plant of
slow development, but strong. Owing to
the fineness of the seed, it should be plant
ed very carefully ald covered lightly. It
should not be pastured the first year as il
is easily pulled up by the roots. After be-
| ing well established, If grazed down, there
/ is an abundant Growth of fine leaves